Tuesday night wasn't just one to remember for Sam Fender, after he picked up a Brit Award, it was also pretty special for his former schoolmate, Ben Hemsley after he was invited to DJ at an after show party.
Singer/songwriter Sam was the toast of North Shields earlier this week when he walked away with the accolade for Best Rock/Alternative act at this year's ceremony.
The 27-year-old and his band looked ecstatic as they headed on to the winner's rostrum to accept their trophy from Rolling Stones legend Ronnie Wood.
Sam's victory was met with wild celebrations back at home and another person delighted by his big win was DJ Ben , someone who knows the Seventeen Going Under hit maker very well from their time at John Spence High School.
READ MORE : Sam Fender fulfils promise to bring Brit back to North Shields pub
Like Sam, Ben is doing rather well for himself in the music industry, having performed sets at a number of massive dance events across the country over the past year, including world famous festival Creamfields last August and Manchester's Warehouse Project on New Year's Eve.
He's also delighted huge audiences on home turf at Trick at Newcastle's Utilita Arena and as part on the Shindig line-up on Boxing Day.
As he gears up for a headline show in Newcastle at Easter, Ben was asked provide the soundtrack to a Brits after show party attended by Sam and his band, years after the Brit Award winner beat him in a school talent show.
Posting a picture of him and Sam at the party on his Instagram, Ben reminisced about their school days, writing: "Mad story… when I was in school with Sam who was 2 years above me, I was in a band and we were gunna enter the school X factor, my band mates found out Sam was entering and decided to quit the band coz they knew he’d win.
Ben added: "I was still wanting to make music somehow, not long after my brother introduced me to tiesto and all my life I’d loved trance coz it’s all my mam would play… So I switched to dance tunes, which might not have happened if it wasn’t for Sam being so wicked in school."
Thrilled at how things have turned out them both, Ben ended the post: " I’m so proud man, from winning the school X factor to brits and being the soundest, well done to yas all. NE29."
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